TRACER TOUR

Sizing depends on which part of your setup you are buying. Skis, poles and skins are measured in centimetres, ski boots in Mondopoint, which is the length of your foot in centimetres, and bindings by brake width in millimetres. As a guide, choose a ski between chin and forehead height, a pole that puts your elbow at 90 degrees when you grip it upside down under the basket, a boot matching your measured foot length, a skin matching your ski length, and a brake width equal to your ski waist or up to 15 mm wider. The size chart on this page lists every size available.

Three things decide compatibility in an alpine setup. Your boot sole norm has to match your binding, and alpine ISO 5355, GripWalk ISO 23223 and touring pin systems are separate standards that are not interchangeable. Your binding brake width has to be equal to or slightly wider than the waist of your ski. Your skins have to match both the length and the waist width of your ski, then be trimmed to its sidecut. Any certified ski shop can confirm a pairing before you ride it.

Every product in the Armada alpine range is built around a discipline, whether that is park, all-mountain, freeride or touring, and around a rider level. Softer, more forgiving gear is easier at lower speeds and while you are still progressing. Stiffer gear holds an edge better at speed and on firm snow but asks for more input to work properly. Matching your gear to the terrain you actually ski most days matters more than choosing the most aggressive option available.

Anything that affects binding release does. Skis and bindings have to be mounted and adjusted by a certified technician, who sets your release value from your weight, height, age, boot sole length and skier type, then tests it on a calibrated machine. Never adjust release values yourself. Ski boots benefit from a proper fitting and can usually be heat moulded. Skins are trimmed to the sidecut of your ski before the first tour. Poles are ready to use straight out of the box.

Dry everything after every day on snow, because trapped moisture rusts edges and breaks down glue and foam. Wax skis every three to five days of skiing, and finish the season with a thick coat of storage wax left unscraped. Pull boot liners out and dry them at room temperature, never on a radiator or in a hot car. Have bindings tested once a year and back the DIN off for summer storage. Dry skins fully, then store them glue to glue or on their mesh, away from heat.